The Easy Switch

One of the worst parts of my week was having to change out the next week's centers. It used to take forever and nothing was ever put away properly on the shelves, and the morning assistant teachers would let the scheduled centers be used for free play. It was, as my kids say, a cats-tap-trophy! (Catastrophe)  Since I initiated my labeled basket system that correlates with my Center Station Organization it's a breeze. (Okay, that sounded a little like an infomercial, but anyway....) Here's a secret: I rarely change the activity, just the theme. Crazy I know, but it works! The kids love the routine of looking forward to same center, (especially their favorites) and I love the endless possibilities. Therefore, to change my centers all I do is pull out my storage bins from under my couchette home, throw my weekly theme into my work bag (with a smile :D) and leave. It's that easy! Sometimes I feel like it shouldn't be that simple, but I'm sure I'll find some difficulty to fill the gap. 

The Breakdown:

Basket 1

Contains: The word wall cards. (See Word Wall Post coming soon.) These change weekly based on the theme, season, or holiday. 

Basket 2

Contains: scrap paper, crayons, markers. Word writing. Each week I write a new list of words and tape them to the wall above a tiny table/chair set for the kids to practice writing on their own. (See Tiny Table Writing coming soon!)*child directed center

Basket 3

Contains: 1 floor puzzle relevant to the theme. *child directed center

Basket 4

Contains: a file folder game of either numbers or letters directly related to the weekly theme. (Comment for a freebie!)*assistant center

Basket 5

Contains: a back up center (usually something my kids don't like)

The real number 5 center is hung on hooks near our calendar that consists of two clipboards, dry erase markers, and themed tracing sheets. Occasionally, my kiddos aren't being very well behaved, so I take away this privilege and replace it with the infamous basket number 5. *child directed center

Basket 6 (doesn't have a number in our chart)

Contains: envelopes with alphabet flash cards labeled with the child's name. I use these when I have assistants in the room so the kids can review letters. I have a very effective system of teaching the alphabet that the kiddos LOVE. Look for Operation Alphabet, posting soon! *assistant directed center